We are painting the dining room that leads to the kitchen with an open door way with a swinging door. The sides of the door way is drywall painted white. The kitchen has wallpaper and the dining room will be painted gray. Should the sides of the doorway be painted gray to match the dining room or stay white to keep it neutral to the kitchen (white).

There are no rules, and doing what pleases you is the fun of ownership. I'd paint it white, unless gray goes really well with the wallpaper. White is better for any narrow space that doesn't get sunlight.

I agree with JOY for the same reasons she gave... the reality is whatever floats your boat.

Thank you so much. That was the way we were leaning.

The first rule of painting, is there is no rule.

And the second, it is only paint, if you do it, and don't like it, you can easy change it.

I paint according to my personal tastes, no matter what you do, some people like it, some don't. You are the person or people, who see it every day, so it should be what you like.

Most of my house has stained trim and door jambs.Where the trim is painted I broke the color at the door stop. This way when door is closed each side is suited to that side.

As said above do what you like in the looks.

Chuck